Chart 1-4. The unemployment rate for Hurricane Katrina
evacuees was much lower for those who were living in their
August (pre-Katrina) residence than for those who were not
Percent
25.0
20.7
20.0
15.0
12.4
10.0
5.6
5.0
0.0
Total evacuees
December 2005 residence same
as in August 2005
December 2005 residence
different than in August 2005
December 2005 unemployment rates for persons who evacuated from their
August 2005 residence, even temporarily, due to Hurricane Katrina
NOTE: Data refer to persons in the civilian noninstitutional population age 16 and over who resided in households that were
eligible to be selected for the Current Population Survey. These data are not representative of the total evacuee population because
they do not include children or people residing in shelters, hotels, places of worship, or other units outside the scope of the survey.
SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Chart 1-4. The unemployment rate for Hurricane Katrina
evacuees was much lower for those who were living in their
August (pre-Katrina) residence than for those who were not
• Information gathered in December 2005 showed that about 1.1 million persons
age 16 and over had evacuated from their August residence, even temporarily,
due to Hurricane Katrina. About 600,000 of these evacuees were living in their
August 2005 residences when surveyed in December 2005; the remainder were
living in other residential units covered in the survey.
• Monthly data collected through special questions on Katrina evacuees do not
account for all persons who evacuated; those living outside of the scope of the
survey—such as persons living in hotels or shelters—are not included. The
questions were asked of persons in the household survey sample throughout the
country, since some evacuees relocated far from the storm-affected areas.
• The unemployment rate for persons identified as evacuees was 12.4 percent.
The rate for evacuees who were again living in their August (pre-Katrina)
homes (5.6 percent) was much lower than for those who were not (20.7
percent).
4